Amanda J. Visek

A Cross-Cultural Psychometric Evaluation of the Athletic Identity Measurement Scale

The Athletic Identity Measurement Scale (AIMS) is a widely used measure of athletic identity (Brewer & Cornelius, 2001). Although the factor structure of the AIMS has been tested repeatedly in an American population, its psychometric properties remain largely unexplored cross-culturally. Therefore, the purposes of the study were to further test the psychometric properties of the abbreviated 7-item AIMS in an American population, while also exploring its utility cross-culturally. Results revealed the AIMS to be a psychometrically sound measure of athletic identity for male contact and collision athletes in both American and English-speaking Hong Kong Chinese populations.

Athletic identity and aggressiveness: A cross‐cultural analysis of the athletic identity maintenance model

Abstract Research independently examining athletic identity and sport aggression is quite extensive; however, the relationship between these variables has yet to be explored. Findings from both the identity literature and the sport fandom literature regarding team identification and aggressive fan behavior provides a foundation on which to hypothesize about the potential role athletic identity may have in the expression of athlete aggression (i.e., Athletic Identity Maintenance Model). Therefore, the purpose of the study was to examine the relationships among athletic identity, anger, and aggressiveness in competitive athletes and to assess cross‐cultural differences. Male athletes (N = 569) participating in contact and collision sports in the United States (n = 362) and Hong Kong (n = 207) completed measures of athletic identity, anger, and aggressiveness. Results indicated positive relationships among athletic identity, anger, and aggressiveness with differences in those variables found with respect to sport type and culture. Group comparisons yielded significant differences between lowly and highly identified athletes in both anger and aggressiveness

Unsanctioned aggression in rugby union: Relationships among aggressiveness, anger, athletic identity, and professionalization

Aggressive players who intentionally cause injury to their opponents are common in many sports, particularly collision sports such as Rugby Union. Although some acts of aggression fall within the rules (sanctioned), others do not (unsanctioned), with the latter tending to be less acceptable than the former. This study attempts to identify characteristics of players who are more likely to employ unsanctioned methods in order to injure an opponent. Male Rugby Union players completed questionnaires assessing aggressiveness, anger, past aggression, professionalization, and athletic identity. Players were assigned to one of two groups based on self-reported past unsanctioned aggression. Results indicated that demographic variables (e.g., age, playing position, or level of play) were not predictive of group membership. Measures of aggressiveness and professionalization were significant predictors; high scores on both indicated a greater probability of reporting the use of unsanctioned aggressive force for the sole purpose of causing injury or pain. In addition, players who had been taught how to execute aggressive illegal plays without detection were also more likely to report using excessive force to injure an opponent. Results provide further support that highly professionalized players may be more likely to use methods outside the constitutive rules of Rugby Union in order to intentionally injure their opponents. Results are discussed within the context of the increasing win-at-all-cost attitude that is becoming more prevalent in sport and its implications for youth athletes.

The Effects of Concurrent Endurance and Resistance Training on 2,000-m Rowing Ergometer Times in Collegiate Male Rowers

Gallagher, D, DiPietro, L, Visek, AJ, Bancheri, JM, and Miller, TA. The effects of concurrent endurance and resistance training on 2,000-m rowing ergometer times in collegiate male rowers. J Strength Cond Res 24(5): 1208-1214, 2010-The current study evaluated if high rep, low rep, or no weight training at all would be best suited for decreasing 2,000-m rowing ergometer times in male varsity rowers. Subjects (n = 18) were rowers from Grand Valley State University who were randomly and equally assigned to 1 of 3 groups: control (CON), high-load low repetitions (HLLR), and low-load high repetitions (LLHR). The weight training groups resistance trained and rowed twice a week, whereas the control group only rowed twice a week. Each group performed the training study workouts (weight training and rowing) along with their daily prescribed varsity practices. The subjects performed both pre and post 2,000-m ergometer tests on concept 2 indoor rowers to evaluate the effects of each training protocol. Paired t-tests revealed statistically significant decreases in 2,000-m times from pre to posttesting for all groups (p < 0.05), whereas a 1-way analysis of variance with repeated measures did not reveal a statistically significant difference (p < 0.96) between the 3 groups (ΔCON: −2.8%, ΔLLHR: −3.1%, and ΔHLLR: −3.5%). However, a trend existed in the hypothesized direction, as the HLLR illustrated the greatest decrease in mean rowing time (CON: 11 seconds, LLHR: 12 seconds, and HLLR: 15 seconds). Overall, the current study demonstrates that although weight training does not create a statistically significant short-term training effect on rowing performance, the profound decreases in 2,000-m times seen in this study may be of practical significance for the oarsman.

Triangulation in Youth Sport: Healthy Partnerships among Parents, Coaches, and Practitioners

Youth sport is unique because it involves communication, coordination, and maintenance of relationships among multiple adults, all of whom are vested stakeholders in a child-athletes sport experience. This dynamic becomes even more complex when a sport psychology practitioner is added; therefore, the purpose of this article is to provide guidelines and considerations to assist sport psychology practitioners in managing the triangulation of adults who are involved in the consultation process with youth athletes. We first discuss specific dyads and considerations for the practitioner and then highlight recommendations for practitioners regarding transparency and confidentiality issues specific to youth athletes.

Athletes’ Preferred Characteristics and Qualifications of Sport Psychology Practitioners: A Consumer Market Analysis

Studies assessing the perceived characteristics of competent sport psychology practitioners have resulted in skewed data, making it difficult to discern the relative importance of each characteristic. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess the attributes of gender, ethnicity, interpersonal skills, physical appearance, athletic background, professional status, and sport culture in relation to one another using conjoint analysis, a consumer market analysis. College student athletes (N = 464) indicated a preference for a female practitioner whose ethnicity matched that of the athlete and possessed high interpersonal skills and sport knowledge, an athletic background, a physically fit body type, and had earned a professional degree. These findings can be used by sport psychology consultants to modify the information they give to current clients and to develop marketing plans to appeal to potential clients.

Mental Training with Youth Sport Teams: Developmental Considerations and Best-Practice Recommendations

Working with youth athletes requires knowledge of the inherent variability in child and adolescent development that will impact the implementation of a mental training program. The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of developmental considerations that should be noted when doing mental training, particularly for athletes participating in sport at mid-childhood, early adolescence, and mid-adolescence. Sex differences at these stages of development are also highlighted. Additionally, we forward best-practice recommendations and learning activities that have been tailored for each developmental stage that can be used in the provision of a mental training program in a team setting.

Influence of Upper-body External Loading on Anaerobic Exercise Performance

Inacio, M, Dipietro, L, Visek, AJ, and Miller, TA. Influence of upper-body external loading on anaerobic exercise performance. J Strength Cond Res 25(4): 896-902, 2011-The purpose of this study was to assess the threshold where simulated adipose tissue weight gain significantly affects performance in common anaerobic tasks and determine whether differences exist between men and women. Forty-six subjects (men = 21; women = 25) were tested for vertical jump, 20- and 40-yd dash, and 20-yd shuttle tests under 6 different loading conditions (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10% of added body weight). Results were compared to each subjects baseline values (0% loading condition). Results demonstrate significant decrements in performance, starting at the 2% loading condition, for both genders, in every performance test (p < 0.05). On average, subjects jumped 4.91 ± 0.29 to 9.83 ± 0.30 cm less, increased agility test times from 5.49 ± 0.56 to 5.86 ± 0.61 seconds, and increased sprint times from 7.80 ± 0.96 to 8.39 ± 1.07 seconds (2-10%, respectively; p < 0.05). When lower-body power was corrected for total body mass, men exerted significantly more power than women did in every loading condition. Conversely, when lower-body power was corrected for lean body mass, men exerted significantly more power than did women only at the 2% loading condition. This study demonstrates that for the specific anaerobic performance tests performed, increases in external loading as low as 2% of body weight results in significant decreases in performance. Moreover, for these specific tests, men and women tend to express the same threshold in performance decrements.

Thinness expectations and weight cycling in a sample of middle-aged adults

BACKGROUND The False Hope Syndrome suggests that unrealistic expectations of dieting and weight loss are key constructs in the prediction of behavioral failure and may exacerbate weight cycling. The objective of this study was to determine cross-sectional associations among dieting and thinness expectations and weight cycling history within the framework of the False Hope Syndrome. METHODS Participants were middle-aged (45±12 years) women (n=116) and men (n=98) recruited via worksite intranet distributions. Information on dieting and thinness expectations, weight loss attempts, and weight cycling history was gathered using standard questionnaires. RESULTS More women than men reported currently dieting (43% vs. 26%; p<0.01). Moderate [OR=2.54; 95%CI: 1.01-6.45] and higher [OR=2.70; 95%CI: 1.07-6.80] levels of the thinness expectation score were significantly associated with the greater odds of weight cycling, independent of age, sex, BMI, and weight loss attempts. CONCLUSIONS These data are the first to extend the pervasive and potent influence of thinness expectancy to middle-aged persons and in particular, to men.

In the Huddle

Sport and exercise psychology has predominately focused on performance improvement; however, as the world faces issues of globesity and other chronic illnesses, we find ourselves uniquely positioned to apply our expertise and training to address these larger issues of public health relevance, that is physical activity adoption and maintenance. In fact, children and adolescents are a population most vulnerable and after-school youth sport programs can be a solution to this public health crisis. However, the number one cited reason among both girls and boys for dropping out of youth sport is that it is no longer fun. Indeed, sport and exercise psychology consultants can play a pivotal role in the promotion of physical activity and wellness at this grassroots level through the provision of applied services that address issues of participation, namely retention and attrition from youth sport. Using self-determination theory and behavioral economics as guiding theoretical frameworks, practitioners can work with youth sport participants, parents, coaches, and league administrators to foster fun, choice-driven, and rewarding sport experiences such that children and adolescents want to participate in them. This is significant because children’s physical activity and health promoting behaviors track into adulthood. Thus, as practitioners, we are uniquely qualified to act as public health stewards in the health promotion and disease prevention of children, adolescents, and families through sport.